BEACON FALLS — A Connecticut State Police trooper was injured Sunday night on Route 8 when police say his cruiser was struck by a drunk driver.
Police said the trooper, whose name wasn’t released, conducted a traffic stop at about 6:20 p.m. on Route 8 south near Exit 24. The driver pulled over in the left lane of the highway, police said. The trooper stopped traffic and directed the driver to pull over to the right shoulder when his cruiser was rear-ended by a car driven by 52-year-old Jeffrey Stella of Southbury.
The trooper suffered minor injuries and was taken to Yale-New Haven Hospital. Stella wasn’t injured, police said.
Following an investigation, Stella was charged with driving under the influence and several motor vehicle charges. He was released on a $1,000 non-surety bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 2.
